NHL allows use of 'Golden Knights' despite US Patent Office decision

Fri, 09 Dec 2016 11:04:45 +0000

Fitzgerald Cecilio - 4E Sports Reporter

New York, NY, United States (4E Sports) - The National Hockey League (NHL) will allow the league's newest franchise based in Las Vegas to use the nickname Golden Knights despite the US Patent Office denied the team's trademark application.

According to NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, the league is currently reviewing the Trademark Office's letter and will prepare a detailed response to the decision.

"We believe the Vegas Golden Knights mark should be registered in co-existence with the college registration, just as a number of other nicknames currently co-exist in professional and college sports," said Daly.

The NHL has until June 7, 2017 to respond to the US Patent Office's decision.

"We consider this a routine matter and it is not our intention to reconsider the name or logo of this franchise," said Daly,

"We fully intend to proceed as originally planned, relying on our common law trademark rights as well as our state trademark registrations while we work through the process of addressing the question raised in the federal applications," he added.

In its decision, the US Patent Office said the NHL team name may be confused for the College of Saint Rose in New York, which is also known as the Golden Knights.